Who are the Half Century Trojans (HCTs)? We’re a vibrant community of all USC alumni (including bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degree holders) who earned a bachelor’s degree from any college or university at least 50 years ago. As caretakers of USC history and tradition, HCTs are uniquely positioned to promote the Trojan Spirit and strengthen the bonds that connect USC alumni lifelong and worldwide.
Half Century Trojans Induction Breakfast
Held on November 3rd (9:30 – 11 a.m.), in conjunction with Alumni and Reunion Weekend 2023, the Half Century Trojan Induction breakfast will welcome the newest group of Half Century Trojans — the Class of 1973 into the community and induct three remarkable Half Century Trojans into the HCT Hall of Fame. These three Half Century Trojans exemplify the ideals of the Trojan Family and have had a significant impact on the fields of business, education, and law.
Register today for the Half Century Trojans – Friday Experience Ticket by clicking here.
Each ticket includes the Half Century Trojan breakfast, class sessions, picnic lunch, welcome convocation, and admission to the Friday Block Party! Click here for a detailed schedule for the weekend.
Honoree Bios
Hall of Fame Awards
Richard Chernick, JD ’70
Richard Chernick, a life member of USC Gould’s Board of Councilors, is vice president and managing director of JAMS’s arbitration practice. He is also an adjunct professor of arbitration at USC Gould, where he earned his JD in 1970. Previously, he worked at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher from 1971 to 1994, most recently as a partner. Earlier in his career, he clerked for the Hon. Donald R. Wright, then chief justice of California from 1970 to 1971. Richard has been chair of the dispute resolution section of the American Bar Association; founding president of the College of Commercial Arbitrators; editor of the California Practice Guide Alternative Dispute Resolution, and a founding chair of the ADR committee of the State Bar of California. Over the years, he has been recognized for his skills in arbitration and mediation by National Law Journal, Best Lawyers, Lawdragon Magazine, Southern California Mediation Association, Dispute Resolution Services, California Judicial Council, American Arbitration Association, Daily Journal, Super Lawyer, and Global Arbitration Review.
Richard is a member of KUSC and the Trojan Legacy Circle. He was a USC Alumni Award recipient in 2005. Last year, Richard Chernick gave a historic gift of $13M to the law school for the building.
Otis Healy ’50
Otis Healy has a long background in the securities industry, serving from 1950 until 1976 at Dean Witter & Co. Incorporated, ultimately as a Director and Senior Vice President responsible for branch offices in the southern half of the United States. From 1976 until his retirement in 1989, he served as a member of the Board of Directors and Senior Vice President of Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Co., Inc. with full responsibility for all Western Region offices.
Mr. Healy’s USC Involvement and accomplishments began as an undergraduate student when he founded Troy Camp, a student-run volunteer organization. At that time, the goal for the camp was to take a group of inner-city boys in elementary school out of the city and expose them to nature, all while talking to them about the importance of higher education. More than 70 years later, the camp has grown and flourished.
Outside of Troy Camp, Mr. Healy served as President of the USC Alumni Association in 1993, served on the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors from 1990-1991, and was a member of the USC Board of Trustees from 1989 to 1995. He also served as President of the USC Commerce Associates, the premier support organization for the then-School of Business Administration.
Otis was bestowed the “Keeper of the Flame Award,” one of the most prestigious awards presented by USC’s Skull and Dagger Society. He has also received the Alumni Service Award from the USC Alumni Association.
In addition to his leadership and service involvements, Mr. Healy has provided the university with continued and generous financial support. He has given in support of multiple USC programs and activities including the Healy Family Endowed Scholarship Fund at Marshall.
Distinguished Service Award
Candy Duncan ’52, MS ’83
Candy A. Duncan has built a lifelong legacy at USC. She spent her entire career serving and counseling students. After graduating from USC in 1952 with her BA in Sociology, she served as a social worker, teacher, volunteer coordinator, and an event planner for non-profits. Based on her expertise in these areas, Mrs. Duncan was recruited by USC to serve as the first nonacademic program coordinator for students participating in the Public Administration semester program in Washington DC, Sacramento and Los Angeles, on the USC campus. Following this, Candy was hired to be the Director of the Office of Undergraduate Advisement at the USC Marshall School of Business. Finally, before retiring in 1992, she took the opportunity to serve as the Director for the Student Athlete Academic Services.
In addition to Candy Duncan’s 22+ years of service as a staff member at USC, she’s been a longtime Trojan volunteer serving in a variety of different capacities and organizations. A few of those included the Trojan League of South Bay, the Alumnae Coordinating Council, Trojan Club of Beach Cities, as a charter member of the USC University Hospital Guild, Town and Gown, Alpha Gamma Delta, and the Half Century Trojans Board of Directors.
Throughout the years Candy’s dedication to USC has been recognized with the Widney Alumni House Award and USCAA President’s Award. Mrs. Duncan and her family truly embody the Trojan spirit. She met her husband while they both attended USC for their undergraduate education then all three of their children perused degrees at USC.
Half Century Trojans Commencement Procession
The University of Southern California and the USC Alumni Association invite the Half Century Trojans to attend the Commencement ceremony and march with fellow Half Century Trojans in the academic procession each year. We are so grateful to have dedicated alumni like yourselves who continue to stay involved with the University and want to celebrate our newest members of the Trojan Family each year. It is a special experience to have everyone together for commencement and we hope you’ll join us for this annual tradition in 2024.
More information to come as we get closer!
Still Fighting On!
Photos from the 2023 Half Century Trojans Commencement Procession
The Half Century Trojan Scholarship Program
A merit-based scholarship, the Half Century Trojans Endowed Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who are direct descendants of Half Century Trojans. Your gift will help ensure that a USC education remains within reach for the children and grandchildren of alumni who want to make USC a family tradition. Roughly 20 $11,000 scholarships are awarded annually.
Contact the USC Dornsife Office of Advancement by calling (213) 740-4990 or visit dornsife.usc.edu/giving to make a donation.
Applicants
The scholarship is open to continuing undergraduate students who are direct descendants of Half Century Trojans. These scholarships can be renewed for the remainder of the recipient’s undergraduate career at USC, based on continued strong academic performance. Scholarship recipients must meet the academic standards adopted by the Half Century Trojans Board of Directors. Scholarship recipients may pursue any academic major in any USC school. Students interested in obtaining more information may visit https://dornsife.usc.edu/css/hct/.
The Selection Process
Selected applicants are invited to interview with the Half Century Trojans Selection Committee. Applicants should provide evidence of academic achievement, leadership, participation in extracurricular activities, work experience and a commitment to community service.
Contribute
Support for the Half Century Trojans Endowed Scholarship Fund can be provided in a variety of forms, including cash, appreciated securities, real estate or other assets. Contributions can also be made through wills, living trusts, charitable gift annuities, or any combination of these devices. Whatever its structure, each gift to the scholarship fund benefits talented students at USC.
To make a gift directly online, please see below Give Now button:
If sending contribution via check, please complete and mail this form along with a check made out to the USC Half Century Trojan Scholarship, to the following address:
USC Half Century Trojans Scholarship Fund
Epstein Family Alumni Center
3607 Trousdale Parkway, TCC 305
Los Angeles, CA 90089-3106
History
The USCAA Half Century Trojans Scholarships began in Fall 1998 with an award of $2500 to one freshman student. Today we award $10,000 to each scholarship student per year. This year we have 22 undergraduate students each having a relative who graduated from USC at least 50 years ago.
Over the past 22 years HCT has been able to provide scholarship assistance to 113 very worthy students. The Scholarship program is funded by 7 trust funds plus yearly gifts from individuals.
The USC Half Century Trojans appreciate the leadership of dedicated members who have served as Scholarship Chair over the past 25 years.
Words of Appreciation
“I am midway through my junior year here at USC and I am studying International Relations and Legal Studies. I have grown up in a my own little Trojan family, my grandfather Albert graduated from USC with his MBA in the ’70s and my mother Kelly graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Business in the ’90s. I feel very blessed to have been chosen for the HCT Scholarship, and it has alleviated some of the financial burden on my family, allowing me to continue my education at my dream school. I am incredibly grateful to the HCT scholarship committee for this opportunity.”
—Madeline Kelley, Class of 2023 (Dornsife)
“Hi, I’m Blake. I am a second semester junior in the Marshall School of Business with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Cinematic Arts. This is my first year in person at USC and I am really enjoying it. I’m playing on the indoor and beach club volleyball teams and work with Traveler on the field during football games. I’ve also worked hard to make the Dean’s List, just like my grandfather and sister before me. I am incredibly humbled and grateful to have been selected as a Half-Century Trojan scholar. I feel blessed to be part of such an amazing university which has quickly become my second home. Thank you for making my dreams possible!”
—Blake Zingerman, Class of 2023 (Marshall)
“I am a junior majoring in Business Administration and pursuing an emphasis in Finance, and I am actively involved in the Marshall Real Estate Finance Association and my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. My half century Trojan connection is through my grandmother, Nancy Whelan, who graduated from USC in 1954. I am so grateful to be a Half Century Trojan Scholar, as it most definitely helps relieve some of the financial burdens of attending USC and allows me to further connect with USC alumni. Thank you again for this amazing opportunity, and Fight On!”
—Katie Scarborough, Class of 2023 (Marshall)
“I am a senior studying Computer Engineering and Computer Science. I come from a huge Trojan family – my grandfather, father, and many aunts, uncles and cousins studied at USC. It is such an honor to be an HCT Scholar, and I am so grateful for the support of this community. From working at Microsoft and Meta (Facebook), to working on incredible research projects and getting involved in a variety of clubs, I have had so many opportunities as an undergraduate at USC. This school is my home away from home, and I am so happy to be here!”
—Isabelle Lau, Class of 2023 (Viterbi)
“I am a sophomore studying Biomedical Engineering. My HCT relative is my grandfather, who earned his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at USC in the ’60s. I am incredibly grateful for this scholarship, since it gives me the financial freedom to volunteer at a lab in the Department of Otolaryngology. This hands-on research experience is invaluable to me, and I am continually fascinated with the medical optics projects I get to work on.”
—Kate Sweetland, Class of 2024 (Viterbi)
“I am a sophomore from Pasadena, California, majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Law (Pre-Law) and minoring in Entrepreneurship. I am extremely thankful and honored to have received the Half Century Trojans Scholarship. This scholarship motivates me to continue making a difference and being a man for and with others. Thank you for your generosity and, rest assured, I will be pay it forward. Being the fifteenth person in my family to attend USC, the person who started it all is my grandfather John Aschieris, who graduated from USC in 1958. Thank you again for your generosity and recognition. Fight On!”
—Cicero Aschieris, Class of 2024 (Dornsife)
“I am a sophomore pursuing a dual degree in piano performance and mechanical engineering. I am so grateful for the flexibility to pursue two drastically different fields of study at an elite university. My Trojan connection is through my step-grandfather, who was a proud USC alumnus and graduated with a B.A. in 1956. I am incredibly appreciative of the HCT community for the financial support towards helping me focus on my educational and career goals, and as a scholarship recipient, I plan to give back in the future by contributing to the success of the next generation of Trojans.”
—Michael Groner, Class of 2024 (Thornton)
“I am a junior in Cinema and Media Studies at USC School of Cinematic Arts. My great grandfather, Jerome Lawrence Erlich, attended USC for both undergrad and law school in the 1930’s. I am incredibly grateful for the HCT scholarship because single-handedly it allowed me to pursue the most prestigious film education in the world and for my sister and I to carry on the Trojan tradition.”
—Hunter Cibula, Class of 2023 (SCA)
Newsletters
Board
Officers
Neil B. Martin ’64, JD ’67*, President
Trish Foley Vick ’67, President-Elect
Jay Berger ’66, MS ’67, PhD ’71*, Past President
Charla Tindall ’67, Recording Secretary
Diana Chipps Jones Geosano ’69, Corresponding Secretary
Chairs
Sara Jane Philippi Bettge ’66, MS ’67, Awards
Charla Tindall ’67, Awards
Don Garner ’66, Bylaws and Policy
Larry Steven Londre ’71, MBA ’74, Events
Diana Chipps Jones Geosano ’69, Events
Sally Jobgen Edwards ’65* Global Outreach
Robert E. Lutz ’68, Global Outreach
Bob Padgett ’67, History
Jay Berger ’66, MS ’67, PhD ’71*, Nominations
Diane Wallace ’69, Scholarship
Sue Bennett ’69, Social Media/Communications
Cinda Lucas ’70, Social Media/Communications
Committee Members
Ilene Abramson ’72, MS ’73
Dan Cassidy ’59**
Jim Childs ’61**
Candy Duncan ’52
Carl N. Everett ’72
Janet Eddy ’53**
Robert Frinier ’63, MBA ’69*
Karen Hackett ’68
Ann Hill ’71, MA ’73
Nancy Schmid Hunt ’72
Gary Iseminger ’69
Laurie Love ’70, EDD ’93
Jim Manos ’54, MS ’59, PhD ’74
Mary Manos ’58
Dan Orr ’71
Terry Pearson ’53, MS ’63**
Patti Poon ’65
Lorna Reed ’58**
Derald Sidler ’67
Sheila Smith ’70
Linda Sutherland ’72
Janet Tonkovich ’64*
Doug Yarrow ’68
Candy Yee ’68, MS ’69
* Past Presidents
** Presidents Emeriti
(Former Half Century Trojan presidents who faithfully served our alumni group for more than five years after their presidential tenure).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get involved?
There is no formal registration process to become a Half Century Trojan. All USC-degreed alumni automatically become Half Century Trojans once they reach the 50-year anniversary of receiving their undergraduate degree. For more information on becoming involved with Half Century Trojans, please contact the USC Alumni Association at (213) 740-2300 or e-mail.
Can I contribute to Scholarships?
Half Century Trojans strengthen the university’s legacy by sponsoring the Half Century Trojans Scholarship Program, which annually confers scholarships of $10,000 each to a number of direct descendants of Half Century Trojans. The scholarships, open only to continuing USC students, are awarded based on academic achievement, leadership potential and community service. For more information, please contact the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences at (213) 740-5930 or visit the scholarship information page.
HCT Event Photo Albums
We are so grateful to have dedicated alumni who come back to USC for different events. Click below to get a glimpse of the incredible memories created.
Still Fighting On!